Carol Thatcher speaks out on bladder weakness

As new guidelines are published by NICE to improve the treatment and care of the five million women in the UK¹ who suffer with stress urinary incontinence, Carol Thatcher is working with DEPEND^® to raise awareness for the condition.

Carol Thatcher has chosen to speak out on the subject of incontinence (commonly known as bladder weakness) in a bid to break down the taboo associated with the condition. 

NICE’s new set of guidelines published last week highlight the treatments available ranging from simple lifestyle changes to drug treatments and surgery in more serious cases.  According to doctors, this distressing condition remains one of the last taboo subjects in healthcare and the incidence of bladder weakness is set to rise as the baby boomer generation begin to reach their fifties.

An estimated one in four women aged over 40 suffer stress urinary incontinence, also known as bladder weakness, which is often caused by physical exertion such as sneezing, laughing or exercise.  Urge incontinence is another form of the condition where a person feels a strong need to urinate and cannot stop herself.

Carol is working with DEPEND^® to help people understand that bladder weakness is a very common condition that can affect people differently – from a small amount of leakage to a more serious and frequent problem. 

Carol says, “Bladder weakness can be an embarrassing topic, but so many people experience it and they shouldn’t feel worried about discussing it with their doctor or a specialist continence advisor.  Surprisingly, it affects more people than hay fever! In many cases people can use pads to manage the condition, though in some instances other treatment may also be necessary.”                                                                                                       

Carol is also keen to highlight the simple steps that people can take to improve their lives:

“There are a number of simple steps people can take to maintain a healthy bladder such as drinking plenty of water, maintaining a healthy diet and regularly exercising your pelvic floor muscles.  You also need to think positively!  Get out and live life!  Bladder weakness doesn’t need to tie you to your home.”

“There are a great many people who live with bladder weakness and use the wrong type of product to manage the condition.  There are many specialist pads available including the DEPEND^® range of incontinence pads – women shouldn’t be using sanitary towels as they’re not designed to protect against urine loss”

Bladder weakness can have a huge impact on the lives of people with the condition, everyday activities such as shopping, going to the cinema or attending social events are all affected. DEPEND^® liners, pads and pants allow people to  focus on the positives of living and continue to do the things they love, free from the worry of bladder weakness.

Lesley Woolnough, Executive Director for Incontact says, “We are very pleased that Carol Thatcher has decided to speak out about bladder weakness.  It is vital that people have access to good, practical information about incontinence in order for them to take control of their condition and continue to live fulfilling lives free from worry.  Incontact recommends that you seek professional advice from your GP or Continence Advisor if you are bothered about bladder problems as there are many treatment and management options available. We believe that Carol’s openeness on this topic will help overcome the embarassment factor and educate and support people affected by the condition.”

DEPEND^® lets people with bladder weakness live life the way they want to, providing an extensive range of liners, pads and pants to deal with different levels of bladder weakness. From light bladder weakness to heavy incontinence, there is a comfortable, discreet liner, pad or pant available. Alternatively visit www.depend.com/uk for a free product sample.

DEPEND^® – LIVE LIFE

Satinder Phull T: 020 7467 9293
E: satinder.phull@bisslancaster.com

Liz Cowell T : 020 7467 9209
E: liz.cowell@bisslancaster.com

Chris Caudle T: 020 7467 9270
E: chris.caudle@bisslancaster.com

1.  McGrother CW, Donaldson MM, Shaw C, et al. Storage symptoms of the bladder: prevalence, incidence and need for services in the UK. BJU International 2004; 93(6):763–9

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Facts about bladder weakness in the UK

• *1 in 4 women over 40 experience bladder weakness

• 5 million people in the UK have bladder weakness

• Bladder weakness is a common side effect of childbirth

• Bladder weakness affects 6-10% of the population – more than hayfever!

• Ratio of females to male with bladder weakness = 2:1

• 42% of people with bladder weakness are too embarrassed to talk about it at all and never see a doctor